British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BAT Bangladesh) has won the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2022 as a "top sustainability advocate."

The company has been honoured for its contributions to environment, social and governance (ESG) practices.

Since its investiture in 2014, the ACES Awards, initiated by the MORS Group, has grown to become "one of the most sought-after accolades in Asia."

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In honouring the ingenious innovation, capabilities and resilience of the industry trailblazers, ACES has specially handpicked the creme de la creme corporations as the award recipients for its ninth edition.

All award recipients fulfilled a stringent evaluation and judging process spanning over nine months which required various documentation submissions and finalist interviews.

"As a sustainability champion, BAT Bangladesh has demonstrated how the implementation of long-term sustainability strategies allows businesses to capture opportunities and shape their post-pandemic future, where survival alone is not enough." Shanggari B, CEO of MORS Group, said in a statement.

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BAT Bangladesh Managing Director Shehzad Munim said: "It fills us with immense pride to have won this global award for two consecutive years. Such recognition exemplifies our dedication to collaborating with communities and stakeholders to create a better tomorrow."

"For 112 years, BAT Bangladesh has prioritised sustainability in its operations.  Unnecessary single-use plastic elimination, zero-waste-to-landfill, water recycling, and carbon neutrality are the company's ESG goals. By 2030, the company aims to have carbon-neutral operations with 100 percent renewable electricity and net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050," according to a statement.

Bangladesh recognises the severity of the water crisis and acknowledges its responsibility in ensuring good water governance across all levels of the organisation.

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In 2022, BAT Bangladesh became the first company in the country to receive Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) core certification for its Dhaka factory and Green Leaf threshing plant in Kushtia.

The company said it has educated farmers on sustainable agricultural methods to improve soil fertility, preserve water, and minimise pollution. Under its ESG endeavour, the nation's largest private sector-driven afforestation programme has provided beneficiaries with 120 million free saplings.